Sestertius - Trajan S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C; Jupiter and Victory

Features

Issuer RomeRoman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD)
Emperor Trajan (Marcus Ulpius Traianus) (98-117)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 103-111
Value 1 Sestertius = ¼ Denarius
Currency Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215)
Composition Bronze
Weight 22.1 g
Diameter 32.5 mm
Shape Round (irregular)
Technique Hammered
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
253540
References RIC II# 577 (sestertius),
Harold Mattingly, Edward Allen Sydenham, Ian Carradice, Theodore Vern Buttrey; 1926. The Roman Imperial Coinage / Volume 2. Vespasian to Hadrian (AD 96 –138). Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom.
OCRE# ric.2.tr.577_sestertius
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (http://numismatics.org/ocre/)

Obverse

Bust of Trajan, laureate, draped, right.

Script: Latin

Lettering: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P

Translation:
Imperator, Caesar, Nervae Traiano Augustus, Germanicus, Dacicus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Consul Quintum, Pater Patriae.
Supreme commander (Imperator), Caesar, of Nerva Trajan, emperor (Augustus), conqueror of the Germans, conqueror of the Dacians, high priest, holder of tribunician power, consul for the fifth time, father of the nation.

Reverse

Jupiter seated in center of octastyle temple; architrave decorated with figure of Jupiter among other figures; figure holding spear between two Victories on roof.

Script: Latin

Lettering: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C

Translation:
Senatus Populusque Romanus Optimo Principi. Senatus Consultum.
The senate and the Roman people to the best of princes. Decree of the senate.

Mint

Rome (ancient), Italy

Comments

Mass varies: 11.12–26.74 g;
Diameter varies: 29–35 mm;
Source: Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)

RIC I# 577 (altar in front)


RIC I# 577 var. (no altar)


Sestertius of the Roman emperor Trajan with architectural reverse type. Rare.

The temple of Jupiter Victor was dedicated on the Palatine Hill 13 April 294 (or 293) BC. This octastyle Corinthian order temple makes its first numismatic appearance on denarii of Domitian struck in AD 94, probably marking the re-building of the temple after the devastating fire of AD 80. Trajan used the temple to symbolize his military victories at the time of his decennalia, at which time the large courtyard altar and side colonnades may have been added. Elagabalus later re-dedicated the building to his eastern god Sol-Elagabal, and in the 10th century the sacred site saw new use as the church of St. Maria de Palladio.

See also

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
ND (103-111)  altar in front
ND (103-111)  no altar

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Numista Rarity index: 97 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

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